Learn how to introduce others
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| Taiwanese Mandarin Survival Phrases Lesson 25: Introducing Others in Taiwan |
| In this lesson, we are going to talk about phrases used to introduce others. |
| First, we’ll learn the phrase “This is...,” which in Chinese is “這是(Zhè shì).” This is a very informal way of introducing someone. |
| Let’s break it down by tone: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| Now let’s look at the meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| Altogether, we have 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| [Normal] 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| If you want to introduce someone in a formal way, you can use 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). This is can be used in business situations or other formal settings. |
| Altogether, we have 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| [Normal] 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| Next, if you are introducing a friend, you can say 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). This means “This is my friend.” |
| Let’s break down the tones: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| 我(wǒ) is in the falling-rising tone. |
| 朋(péng) is in second, rising tone |
| Finally, 友(you) has no tone |
| Let’s break down the meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| 我(wǒ) means "I" |
| 朋友(péngyou) means "friend.” |
| Literally, “我朋友(wǒ péngyou)” means "my friend.” The whole phrase means “This is my friend.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| [Normal] 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| You can replace “my friend” with another word that represents any other type of relation. |
| For example, “This is my husband.” in Chinese is 這是我先生(zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng). |
| Let’s break it down by tone: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| 我(wǒ) is in the falling-rising tone. |
| 先(xiān) is in first tone |
| 生(shēng) has no tone |
| Let’s break it down by meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| 我(wǒ) means "I" |
| 先生(xiānshēng) means "Husband" |
| 我先生(wǒ xiānshēng) together means “My husband” |
| “This is my husband.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我先生(zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| One more time, slowly, we have: |
| [Slow] 這是我先生(Zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| [Normal] 這是我先生(Zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| Here is the same phrase using “wife.” In Chinese, “wife” is 太太(tàitai). This word is fourth tone and a soft tone. |
| Let’s practice the same phrase, but this time, we’ll use “wife.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai) |
| [Normal] 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai) |
| Next we’ll look at how to introduce yourself. You can say 你好(ní hǎo), “Hello,” in Chinese. |
| [Slow] 你好(ní hǎo) |
| [Normal] 你好(ní hǎo) |
| If you want to be more polite, you can say 您好(nín hǎo). |
| [Slow] 您好(nín hǎo) |
| [Normal] 您好(nín hǎo) |
| Altogether, we have 您好(nín hǎo). |
| One last time, 您好(nín hǎo). |
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